Tioman Getaway 4D3N

It's time to blog about the recent getaway before I get busy this coming Friday
I'll be flying again to Kuala Lumpur this time to reminisce the time I was still studying
I was in KL for 3 years to complete my degree before settling down in Singapore

Acclaimed as one of the best island getaways in the world, Tioman is about 56km off the coast of Pahang, an alluring holiday paradise not only for scuba divers, it has options for every kind of holiday-maker: families with small children, honeymooners, backpackers, and adventurers like me (:

Tioman is a beautiful, popular and affordable holiday destination which costs us less than SGD 250 for a 4D3N free and easy trip.
Easily accessible via bus/cab and ferry to the island itself. Unfortunately we left Singapore on a long weekend, we didn't catch a bus from Larkin to Mersing that day. So, we actually cabbed there. One way costs us RM200.

We were glad that we managed to reach Mersing on time. We roamed around the town area before we board the ferry to Tioman. There's a KFC outlet at the end of the shoplots. We headed there for lunch and then shopped at the RM2 one stop shop nearby the jetty.

Thankfully we bought enough cup noodles and some cookies for the weekend.
The ferry took approximately 1.5 hours to reach its first stop at Kampung Genting. We alighted and walk bout 5minutes to our resort.

We booked Aguna Resorts as it has lesser criticism on Trip Advisor. It turned out to be a good stay though. No roaches or rats. Spiders and mosquitoes are quite common though as long as it's not black widow or tarantula.
        

   

 We had cup noodles.. cheap and good for supper

 Their Ramli Burger available everywhere on the island

Nasi Paprik not available in Singapore
Nostalgic dish that tasted different on every stalls we visited
I remembered I had this for almost daily dinner when I stayed in my hostel
Kinda miss it a lot (:

 On day 2, we jungle trekked from Kampung Genting to Kampung Paya
 We climbed for approximately 1.5 hours
 We had a slow pace walk on a cloudy afternoon

 Fortunately no monkeys disturb us on our way

 The view from mountain top

 Finally we managed to make out way to Kampung Paya

 I love this station here
 It was lovely for sure

 We didn't dine in this cafe because it was located near the sandy area
 And we prefer sea view as well
 So we ended up here in one of the Malay stall

It was a hard decision when it comes to food
As usual I will grab my orange juice drinks
To quench my thirst while waiting for my food to come

Without much hesitation I ordered the Nasi Paprik again
I would regret if I don't when I come back to Singapore

 We didn't want to walk back to Kampung Genting
 Therefore we took sea taxi back
 They charged us RM25/per person for 1 way ride
 It was about 8minutes ride

We reached in a blink of an eye
Completed the hike and feel proud of myself
Of course with the company of 2 other friends in slippers (OMG!)

Have some dip in the water before head for dinner

After the hike we sit around the lobby to use their wifi

Frankly their wifi really sucks ttm

The connections kept disconnect

Anyway, we don't bother and proceeded with our Zenga game

 We anxiously waited for the sunset but dreams didn't come true
 There were no sunset that day cause there were too much clouds
 Sob Sob!

 Again with my favourite dish - Nasi Paprik

This is my breakfast for the 3 days stay in Aguna

I am very picky when it comes to food

I couldn't eat their noodle - Bee tai bak

I couldn't eat the kuih - contains peanuts/ coconut

So I ended up with toast with cheese and butter

Fat die ah put so much butter on my bread
Flooding it with fats but who cares I can still afford it haha

It is our snorkelling day today
And we headed out early
9 of us on the boat and we ventured out of our comfort zone
After that I found that my nails coming out soon
Ouch!
But I carried on haha

We didn't managed to take much pictures as everyone was tired

So the last night here we spent taking pictures on the beach

The constellations at night

Simply breath-taking

Day 1 - Depart to Mersing
Day 2 - Jungle trekking
Day 3 - Snorkelling + Island hopping
Day 4 - Back to Singapore

We had lotsa fun all the way
Thanks to my mates
They were willing to go crazy with me
Million thanks from the bottom of my heart

Tioman Island Plannings

TO TIOMAN ISLAND

Mersing Jetty
[Singapore > Mersing] Transnasional buses travel direct from Singapore to Mersing
(www.transnasional.com)
Alternatively, catch a bus from the terminal at Queen St/Ban San St. Take the Singapore-Johore
Express directly to Larkin Bus Terminal in Malaysia.
From Larkin Bus Terminal, take the Adik-beradik
Express/ Transnasional bus to Mersing.

Tanjung Gemuk Jetty

This is another point that you can catch ferries to Tioman, in the state of Pahang between Endau and
Rompin and it's about 30 minutes north of Mersing. This journey is just between 1.5 - 2 hours.

A simpler way will be :  

1. Go to Woodlands Checkpoint (bus 911 from Woodlands MRT).
2. Take bus 160/170 after checkpoint to go Malaysia Checkpoint.
3. Once passport chopped, take bus 160/170 to Larkin Bus Terminal.
4. Alight and look for agencies that sell bus tickets to Mersing/ Tanjung Gemok Jetty
5. Exchange booking slip to ferry tickets at Jetty
6. Alight at Genting village > walk bout 600m to Aguna resort.

Blue Water Express Company
(6)019- 778 9535 / 013- 703 1049 to double-check their schedule.
Remarks: I did call them upon arriving Johor Bahru several times but noone picks up the phone.

Before leaving Mersing you will be asked to pay the RM 10 (Msian)/ RM 25 (Non-Msian) Marine Park Conservation fee, a one off payment per person~
 Only mersing charges ppl RM25, whereas Tanjung Gemok charged RM15.

RETURN TO SINGAPORE

Your resort will let you know of the timing to leave.

Tioman consist of:

1. Genting beach
2. Paya beach
3. Tekek beach
4. Air Batang (ABC)
5. Salang beach
6. Juara

WHAT TO DO ON TIOMAN ISLAND?

1. Chill and Relax!
Bring your games, whatever you need as if you're on a chalet. Aguna Inn provides mini games for us at the lobby. 

2. Diving & Snorkelling (duration bout 3 hours if go by boat)
Full day or half day trips can be arranged to a number of sites around Tioman, or shorter trips to a
single destination. Prices vary according to the length of the trip and your resort are usually able to
arrange this for you. We took RM80 package which includes 3 diving areas and Tekek Village Duty Free Shop.

*TwinPeaks Tioman (a bit expensive)
www.twinpeakstioman.com

*Nearby Snorkel Trip
Time: 9am- 12pm , 2pm- 5pm
Price: RM120+ 10% service charge /pax
*Round trip
Time: 9am- 530pm
Price: RM220 + 10% service charge
(+ Asah Waterfall, Juara, Salang Village+ 2 snorkel destinations)
** for references only

3. Boat Trips
In addition to snorkelling trips, boat trips can be arranged to various attractions on Tioman, including
Asah waterfall at the south of Tioman - reputed to be the site of the waterfall filmed in "South
Pacific" in the 1960s. We took water cab from Kampung Paya back to Kampung Genting for RM 25 per way.

4. Star gazing. The night is simply too beautiful. Remember to bring your camera and tripod (:

5. Jungle Walks
Tioman is still largely covered in dense jungle and there are lots of things to see. It is readily
accessible on the 7km cross island walk (Genting - Juara) which can take anything from 3-4 hours. We didn't hike to Juara but we hiked about 1.5 hours in a relax mode to Kampung Paya.

6. Shopping
If you are a fan of beer, wine and spirits, there are a few Duty Free Shops which supply a surprising
variety of drinks, from Hoegarden, and Savannah Dry Cider, to Wolf Blass wines.

7. Visit the neighbouring shores
Arrange with the counter for nearby shores visits and shopping.


Things to take note (Important!) :

1. Bring some snacks/ cup noodles along, most of the things are pretty costly on the island
    We bought snacks and cup noodle from the stores nearby the jetty and brought onboard.
2. Mosquito repellent band/ spray
3. Sunblock & moisturizer
4. Limited Wi-fi access and no DIGI line! Celcom is usable at certain area.
5. Auto-Roaming activation & Oversea Debit Card (emergency use)
6. Ringgit Malaysia and passport
7. Poncho/ umbrella
8. Medicine (Panadol, charcoal pills & plasters)

Total expenses up to date
Details Amount/ per way/ per person

Bonus fact: Tioman is a duty free zone and offers a decent selection of alcohol and tobacco products at low enough prices. Located at Tekek, it is a very small business shop.

Day 9 @ Taipei, Taiwan

Day 9 Taipei (Sunday) Taoyuan > Singapore

Taipei Main Station - Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A – Kuo Kuang Bus 

U can Taxi from Hotel in XMD to Kuo Kuang Taipei West Bus Station A (NT$100 Max) & take Kuo Kuang Bus to Taoyuan (NT$125), the Fastest IMO (60min).

Board a MRT train at Taipei Main Station to Ximen Station (one station stop away). MRT Fare: NT$20 Travel time: About 3 mins OR board a cab to XMD. Cab fare: About NT$90 ~ NT$100

Freego bus (飛狗巴士) buses go to Ximending (XMD). Fare: NT$140 (adult one-way) NT$260 (adult return) Purchase ticket at Free Go bus counter at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TTIA). Travel time: About 50 mins.

 Free Go Bus: http://www.freego.com.tw

I took Kuo Kuang Bus which is the cheapest option to the airport. Before that I took a cab to Terminal A then took bus to the airport. 

Kuo Kuang (国光客运) buses depart TTIA to Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A near Taipei Main Station. Fare: NT$125 (adult one-way) NT$230 (adult return).

Kuo Kuang Bus: http://www.kingbus.com.tw

Head to the Airport Express Bus counter and ask for a ticket to the International Airport. This will cost around NTD $125 for an express bus ticket. The buses depart every 15-20 minutes between the hours of 04:30 am and 23:20 pm. It will take between 40 and 80 minutes to reach Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport depending on traffic conditions. Enjoy the ride.

Day 8 @ Hualien, Taiwan

Day 8 (Sat) Hualien > Taipei

Check out Pandora Hope Castle BnB – Hualien Train Station – Taipei Main Station – Check in Space Inn – Xinyi District Shopping – Danshhuei – Cang Ai – Taipei 101 – Shilin Night Market

TRA to Taipei 787374

Train Number: 217

DEP time: 11:15am (collect tickets before 10.45am)

Coach/Seat: 5/14

Breakfast at Black Bobby just right across the Hualien railway station

I was fortunate to spend my breakfast time with my friend

It was a simple and pleasant breakfast I must say

Took a train back to Taipei

And enjoyed the scenery along the railway

The meal I packed before I board the train
Nice and decent - cheap and good

As you can see, the leg space is good, and I can put my 20 inch luggage in front of me
The perks of being petite ^.^ cheers

Board a cab from Taipei Main Station to Space Inn Hostel
The picture below shows the entrance to Space Inn

Space Inn

Address: B1F, No. 51, Hengyang Rd, Taipei Main Station

Contact details: 223813666

Here's my bed on the top section of a double decker (:
More privacy though in a 12 beded girls dorm

Here's the common bathroom
It's without lock :O

Xinyi District Shopping

Mrt      : Taipei City Hall Station > Exit 3

Address: Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A4 A8 A9 A11 Taipei Eslite

Danshui Fisherman’s Wharf 淡水漁人碼頭

Direction:

Alight at Danshui / Tamsui Station 淡水 (Red) Line ~40 minutes from Taipei Main Station. Take a ferry to 淡水漁人碼頭 not Bali.

Things to lookout for:

Lover’s bridge

Fullon Hotel (boat shape building)

Sunset by the sea

Danshui Old Street – A-Gei, Fishball Soup, Iron Egg, Fish Crispy

Danshui could be a good option especially if you just want to escape from the hustle and bustle of Taipei city. The Old Street is just 5 minutes walk from the MRT station. Upon exiting the MRT station, turn left to the esplanade; keep walking towards the right, you will reach the Old Street.

 This is the place where you can find many stores selling souvenirs, handicrafts and food.

 In this cold weather I couldn't resist HOT SAUSAGES

Here's a picture of my numb face with super delicious sausage
I know my boy would be jealous cause he was working at the time I sent him this picture

 Overlooking the 淡水漁人碼頭

Live bands playing typically everywhere
With the temperature dropping to 12-14 degree
They can still sing freely
Bravo!

This was my ticket to 淡水漁人碼頭
Cost me NTD120 to and fro

Shoplots around Fisherman's Wharf newly opened during my visits
Generally, the shops start opening at around 10.30am

There's an owl specialist shop selling all items related to Owl

The bridge during daytime

View from the top of the bridge
It was rather windy that day
I didn't had my windbreaker that day
Nonetheless I looked more like locals enjoying the breeze

 The 'harbour' at Danshui Fisherman's Wharf

The famous Love sculpture
This is the place many couples took their wedding photos
To me,
There's nothing special about it
I wouldn't come back again to this place

 Night view of that bridge before I board my ferry back to Danshui Station

Taipei 101

MRT: Take Xinyi Line (Red) to Taipei 101/ WTC > Exit 4 (directly below Taipei 101)

OR Take Nangang Line (Blue) to Taipei City Hall Station 市政府站 Exit 2

Bus: Take free shuttle bus (depart every 15 mins) or 15 mins walk

Location: 7 Xinyi Road, Section 5, Xinyi District

Ticket: NTD500 to Observatory 觀景台

Opening hours: 09:00-22:00 daily;  last admission 21:15) 

>>> for more info on getting to Starbucks @ Taipei 101, pls refer to my Day 2 @ Taipei.

Shi Lin Night Market 士林夜市

Mrt : Take Dansuei Line (Red) to Jian Tan Station劍潭站  > Exit 2 > walk 5 min

Address : Around Wenlin Road文林路and Dadong Road大東路

Open : 4pm to midnight daily

Pros: Shopping heaven for both gender

 The crowd at Shilin Night Market was crazy. It was super-duper crowded.

The much raved about by bloggers and locals on this chicken cutlet
Doesn't taste nice at all
In fact I threw it away after 2 bites
I am picky on food I must say

Located in the middle of Shilin Night Market
Lots of teenagers gathered around this stall to experience something different
Variety of food with 'Penis' theme

They looked awful

My friends bought the ice cream
Red bean flavour and she commented that it tasted like normal ice cream
Luckily I didn't want to try any of its product
Doesn't look appealling to me at all

My friends urged me to try this shop
As many locals recommended this shop
Located next to Shilin Night Market at one of the exits
Not sure which exits

Heard that this is the best chicken cutlet
Indeed this is better than the previous chicken cutlet I bought
Glad she led us to the right stall

After that it was almost 12mn so I decided to cab back to my hostel
And head back straight to my room